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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Do You Ever Serve The Same Meal 2x?
jamiem 06:33 AM 05-02-2013
Do you ever serve the same meal twice in a row or twice in the same week? Lets say you make a big pan of lasagna or a casserole, do you ever serve leftovers later that week?
canadiancare 06:47 AM 05-02-2013
No. I make my menus a month ahead. If I put Lasagne on for a Wednesday for example my family will usually have it for supper the Tuesday and I will make a small pan for the next day at the same time.
Blackcat31 06:51 AM 05-02-2013
I don't serve the same exact thing more than once a week on a regular basis but I'm sure I have before at some point.
What I usually do though is if we have ham on Monday, we will have some sort of casserole later in the week using the left over ham or if we have pork chops early in the week, I'll try to use the left over pork and make fried rice or something like that.
A lot of providers can't serve any type of left overs due to regulations by the food program.
In my area, I can serve them and my food program is fine with it.
What I usually do though is if we have ham on Monday, we will have some sort of casserole later in the week using the left over ham or if we have pork chops early in the week, I'll try to use the left over pork and make fried rice or something like that.
A lot of providers can't serve any type of left overs due to regulations by the food program.
In my area, I can serve them and my food program is fine with it.
SilverSabre25 06:51 AM 05-02-2013
No, I don't. I will make a pan of lasanga and serve it for dinner to my family and then the leftovers for daycare lunch and then my DH usually takes all the rest of the leftovers for lunch the rest of the week or however long it lasts.
SquirrellyMama 07:00 AM 05-02-2013
Yes, I do. It probably happens 2 times a month.
Kelly
Kelly
crazydaycarelady 07:09 AM 05-02-2013
Yes, I do! This is a home dc and leftovers are a fact of life. I will serve different sides but definitely serve a main entree more than once if I have it.
TheGoodLife 07:12 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by crazydaycarelady:
Yes, I do! This is a home dc and leftovers are a fact of life. I will serve different sides but definitely serve a main entree more than once if I have it.
Yes, I do! This is a home dc and leftovers are a fact of life. I will serve different sides but definitely serve a main entree more than once if I have it.
I haven't done it often, but I will have leftovers sometimes. I don't want it to go to waste, and I won't serve my girls the same thing for dinner that we had for lunch that same day. I'd rather spread it out over 2 days 
NeedaVaca 07:17 AM 05-02-2013
No, I plan my meals by the week and don't duplicate anything except maybe yogurt, they get that several times per week. I make my dinner and will serve leftovers or make a small batch for daycare so my DS gets things more than once per week but I try to at least skip a day so it's not 2 days in a row.
jenn 07:24 AM 05-02-2013
I don't serve a main course more than once a week. I do sometimes serve fruits and veggies more than once. This week we had carrots & ranch on Monday for pm snack and we are having steamed carrots for lunch today. We had strawberries with breakfast on Tuesday and we are having them for afternoon snack on Friday. We joke that my husband is the human garbage disposal, so all leftovers are taken care of by him.
NeedaVaca 07:41 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by jenn:
I don't serve a main course more than once a week. I do sometimes serve fruits and veggies more than once. This week we had carrots & ranch on Monday for pm snack and we are having steamed carrots for lunch today. We had strawberries with breakfast on Tuesday and we are having them for afternoon snack on Friday. We joke that my husband is the human garbage disposal, so all leftovers are taken care of by him.
Do you only have carrots for lunch or is that with other items?I don't serve a main course more than once a week. I do sometimes serve fruits and veggies more than once. This week we had carrots & ranch on Monday for pm snack and we are having steamed carrots for lunch today. We had strawberries with breakfast on Tuesday and we are having them for afternoon snack on Friday. We joke that my husband is the human garbage disposal, so all leftovers are taken care of by him.
crazydaycarelady 07:53 AM 05-02-2013
I definitely serve fruits and veggies more than once per week. For example I just bought a big box of apples from Washington so the kids will be getting apples several times this week (slices and we made apple crisp.) Also when I buy produce at Costco it comes in large quantities so they will have it several times that week.
I just had my meal evaluation from the FP and they said it looked great!
I just had my meal evaluation from the FP and they said it looked great!
KnoxMom 08:23 AM 05-02-2013
Because of the Food Program, I can't. I usually send the leftovers off with my other half for his lunch break or to put with something else for dinner the next day.
Evansmom 08:35 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by jamiem:
Do you ever serve the same meal twice in a row or twice in the same week? Lets say you make a big pan of lasagna or a casserole, do you ever serve leftovers later that week?
I haven't but I can see how it would be convenient to do that, and also a good way to not waste food. But if you can't or don't want to serve it twice a week maybe you could freeze a daycare portion and then serve it a week or two later?Do you ever serve the same meal twice in a row or twice in the same week? Lets say you make a big pan of lasagna or a casserole, do you ever serve leftovers later that week?
EntropyControlSpecialist 09:14 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by crazydaycarelady:
I definitely serve fruits and veggies more than once per week. For example I just bought a big box of apples from Washington so the kids will be getting apples several times this week (slices and we made apple crisp.) Also when I buy produce at Costco it comes in large quantities so they will have it several times that week.
I just had my meal evaluation from the FP and they said it looked great!
I do this, too, with fruits/veggies. I don't with the "main portion" of the meal, not that I think there is anything wrong with doing so!I definitely serve fruits and veggies more than once per week. For example I just bought a big box of apples from Washington so the kids will be getting apples several times this week (slices and we made apple crisp.) Also when I buy produce at Costco it comes in large quantities so they will have it several times that week.
I just had my meal evaluation from the FP and they said it looked great!
daycare 09:32 AM 05-02-2013
I am on the food program and the way i have been able to do this is when I have a lot of food left over I do one of two things with it.
I add something to it to make it different or it becomes our dinner.....lol
I add something to it to make it different or it becomes our dinner.....lol
LK5kids 09:54 AM 05-02-2013
I am today! I made crockpot chicken soup yesterday and there is lots left over. The rest will go to my husband!
I am almost Licensed (sent in paperwork yesterday), so I am not on the food program yet.
I am also limited on kids right now and three younger kids do not eat all that much. It is hard cooking sometimes for a small group.
Once I am on the fprogram I don't think I can repeat. I will also have more kids, as I have families waiting to get in.
I am almost Licensed (sent in paperwork yesterday), so I am not on the food program yet.
I am also limited on kids right now and three younger kids do not eat all that much. It is hard cooking sometimes for a small group.
Once I am on the fprogram I don't think I can repeat. I will also have more kids, as I have families waiting to get in.
canadiancare 09:55 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by daycare:
I am on the food program and the way i have been able to do this is when I have a lot of food left over I do one of two things with it.
I add something to it to make it different or it becomes our dinner.....lol
I remember my son coming home from school when he was about 14 and saying "hey they eat our leftovers we don't eat theirs" when I reheated lunch as our supper. I am on the food program and the way i have been able to do this is when I have a lot of food left over I do one of two things with it.
I add something to it to make it different or it becomes our dinner.....lol
he was only half joking.
EntropyControlSpecialist 09:55 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by daycare:
I am on the food program and the way i have been able to do this is when I have a lot of food left over I do one of two things with it.
I add something to it to make it different or it becomes our dinner.....lol
It often becomes our dinner here, or I eat it for lunch the next day if it doesn't contain any gluten. I am on the food program and the way i have been able to do this is when I have a lot of food left over I do one of two things with it.
I add something to it to make it different or it becomes our dinner.....lol
Laurel 10:25 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by jamiem:
Do you ever serve the same meal twice in a row or twice in the same week? Lets say you make a big pan of lasagna or a casserole, do you ever serve leftovers later that week?
Yes, I do, especially if the children liked it a lot the first time. Not a lot but sometimes.Do you ever serve the same meal twice in a row or twice in the same week? Lets say you make a big pan of lasagna or a casserole, do you ever serve leftovers later that week?
I choose not to be on the food program.
Laurel
MrsSteinel'sHouse 10:47 AM 05-02-2013
I try not to duplicate main dish at lunch time. If I make enough for two meals, I plan It that way and half goes in the freezer for next week.
itlw8 10:51 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by Evansmom:
I haven't but I can see how it would be convenient to do that, and also a good way to not waste food. But if you can't or don't want to serve it twice a week maybe you could freeze a daycare portion and then serve it a week or two later?
because it is serving leftovers or because of 2x in one week ??? I know state add all sorts of extra rules... I can serve leftovers if it was not on the table where the children can contaminate it.I haven't but I can see how it would be convenient to do that, and also a good way to not waste food. But if you can't or don't want to serve it twice a week maybe you could freeze a daycare portion and then serve it a week or two later?
slpender 10:56 AM 05-02-2013
I won't serve the same thing for lunch but sometime we have left over pizza or noodles and I will serve it for snack same with waffles or pancakes they just have it on a different day. My kids would eat left over lasagna for snack no with no problem.
KnoxMom 10:58 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by LK5kids:
I am almost Licensed (sent in paperwork yesterday), so I am not on the food program yet.
JIC you didn't know, you are not required to be licensed to participate in the food program. I am legally unlicensed because of my neighborhood's zoning (Historic Established Neighborhood) but I have a sponsor (ourdailybreadoftn.org) that trains, approves and evaluates child care programs so we can also have access to high quality foods with reimbursements. Since you are almost licensed, it may not be a factor for you anymore, but for any other in-home providers who are reading this, I think it is a great resource. There are several sponsors in every state and they are very helpful. It's a win-win relationship in my opinion!I am almost Licensed (sent in paperwork yesterday), so I am not on the food program yet.
jenn 11:02 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by NeedaVaca:
Do you only have carrots for lunch or is that with other items?
Maybe I didn't word that right. Do you only have carrots for lunch or is that with other items?
For lunch we have a meat/protein, a grain, 2 servings of veggies/fruits (can be 2 veg, 2 fruit, or 1 of each), and milk. For breakfast, we have a fruit, a grain, and milk. Snacks are 2 things from 2 different food groups.
So, we had carrots with ranch and milk to drink for a snack. We had Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas, steamed carrots, pineapple, and milk for a lunch. I just meant that I repeat fruits and veggies, like carrots, during the week.
LK5kids 11:06 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by KnoxMom:
JIC you didn't know, you are not required to be licensed to participate in the food program. I am legally unlicensed because of my neighborhood's zoning (Historic Established Neighborhood) but I have a sponsor (ourdailybreadoftn.org) that trains, approves and evaluates child care programs so we can also have access to high quality foods with reimbursements. Since you are almost licensed, it may not be a factor for you anymore, but for any other in-home providers who are reading this, I think it is a great resource. There are several sponsors in every state and they are very helpful. It's a win-win relationship in my opinion!
Oh my goodness!!! My pre-licensor support person never mentioned this! Holy cow, if this is true in WI I am going to be real happy I can get things rolling. I am going to look into it NOW!!! Thanks so much!JIC you didn't know, you are not required to be licensed to participate in the food program. I am legally unlicensed because of my neighborhood's zoning (Historic Established Neighborhood) but I have a sponsor (ourdailybreadoftn.org) that trains, approves and evaluates child care programs so we can also have access to high quality foods with reimbursements. Since you are almost licensed, it may not be a factor for you anymore, but for any other in-home providers who are reading this, I think it is a great resource. There are several sponsors in every state and they are very helpful. It's a win-win relationship in my opinion!
KnoxMom 11:08 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by LK5kids:
Oh my goodness!!! My pre-licensor support person never mentioned this! Holy cow, if this is true in WI I am going to be real happy I can get things rolling. I am going to look into it NOW!!! Thanks so much!
You're welcome! I would start here: http://www.foodprogramwi.org/resources.phtmlOh my goodness!!! My pre-licensor support person never mentioned this! Holy cow, if this is true in WI I am going to be real happy I can get things rolling. I am going to look into it NOW!!! Thanks so much!
bunnyslippers 11:09 AM 05-02-2013
I am not on the food program anymore ~ and I often serve the same meal more than once in a week. It is easier, and less expensive. Soooo, yes, I do!
NeedaVaca 11:10 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by jenn:
Maybe I didn't word that right.
For lunch we have a meat/protein, a grain, 2 servings of veggies/fruits (can be 2 veg, 2 fruit, or 1 of each), and milk. For breakfast, we have a fruit, a grain, and milk. Snacks are 2 things from 2 different food groups.
So, we had carrots with ranch and milk to drink for a snack. We had Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas, steamed carrots, pineapple, and milk for a lunch. I just meant that I repeat fruits and veggies, like carrots, during the week.
Gotcha! That makes much more sense lol. My kids love quesadillas, yum!Maybe I didn't word that right.
For lunch we have a meat/protein, a grain, 2 servings of veggies/fruits (can be 2 veg, 2 fruit, or 1 of each), and milk. For breakfast, we have a fruit, a grain, and milk. Snacks are 2 things from 2 different food groups.
So, we had carrots with ranch and milk to drink for a snack. We had Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas, steamed carrots, pineapple, and milk for a lunch. I just meant that I repeat fruits and veggies, like carrots, during the week.
SilverSabre25 11:12 AM 05-02-2013
Okay, I do occasionally repeat veggie/fruit. Especially in the spring and summer when things are in season. I also shop at Costco so we usually have tons to eat...though my own kids have no trouble devouring most veggies and fruit in no time flat.
daycarediva 11:15 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by canadiancare:
No. I make my menus a month ahead. If I put Lasagne on for a Wednesday for example my family will usually have it for supper the Tuesday and I will make a small pan for the next day at the same time.
this exactly. No. I make my menus a month ahead. If I put Lasagne on for a Wednesday for example my family will usually have it for supper the Tuesday and I will make a small pan for the next day at the same time.
LK5kids 11:15 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by KnoxMom:
You're welcome! I would start here: http://www.foodprogramwi.org/resources.phtml
Oh, rats.....I just looked up the WI site and it said in WI you have to be licensed or certified. Well, it won't be long. Thanks, and I will check out your link! I appreciate it. Oh, I did shoot them an e-mail.You're welcome! I would start here: http://www.foodprogramwi.org/resources.phtml
LaLa1923 11:17 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by jamiem:
Do you ever serve the same meal twice in a row or twice in the same week? Lets say you make a big pan of lasagna or a casserole, do you ever serve leftovers later that week?
YES! Most of the time whatever I made for dinner is going to be served for lunch at some point during the week.Do you ever serve the same meal twice in a row or twice in the same week? Lets say you make a big pan of lasagna or a casserole, do you ever serve leftovers later that week?
LaLa1923 11:25 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by KnoxMom:
JIC you didn't know, you are not required to be licensed to participate in the food program. I am legally unlicensed because of my neighborhood's zoning (Historic Established Neighborhood) but I have a sponsor (ourdailybreadoftn.org) that trains, approves and evaluates child care programs so we can also have access to high quality foods with reimbursements. Since you are almost licensed, it may not be a factor for you anymore, but for any other in-home providers who are reading this, I think it is a great resource. There are several sponsors in every state and they are very helpful. It's a win-win relationship in my opinion!
I think it may depend on where you live. You can't do that hereJIC you didn't know, you are not required to be licensed to participate in the food program. I am legally unlicensed because of my neighborhood's zoning (Historic Established Neighborhood) but I have a sponsor (ourdailybreadoftn.org) that trains, approves and evaluates child care programs so we can also have access to high quality foods with reimbursements. Since you are almost licensed, it may not be a factor for you anymore, but for any other in-home providers who are reading this, I think it is a great resource. There are several sponsors in every state and they are very helpful. It's a win-win relationship in my opinion!
AmyKidsCo 11:26 AM 05-02-2013
Not to the daycare, but we do make double for family dinners and I serve the extras for daycare lunch the next day. (Never food from our table though, just food that wasn't served at all.)
LaLa1923 11:34 AM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by AmyKidsCo:
Not to the daycare, but we do make double for family dinners and I serve the extras for daycare lunch the next day. (Never food from our table though, just food that wasn't served at all.)
Not to the daycare, but we do make double for family dinners and I serve the extras for daycare lunch the next day. (Never food from our table though, just food that wasn't served at all.)
Childminder 12:40 PM 05-02-2013
Always, every week. I am open for dinners though and make enough for dinner and for lunch the next day. Some times I freeze it. Most times I purposely make enough to use it or part of it again later in the week or for another element in a meal.
For instance if I make a pork dish the leftover meat will probably be made into a stir-fry or pulled pork sandwiches. If I make stir-fry I will definately make extra rice and have fried rice the next day or make a rice pudding for dessert or breakfast later in the week. Beef roast will be made into a soup or beef stroganoff or beef tips over noodles. Endless possiblities.
For instance if I make a pork dish the leftover meat will probably be made into a stir-fry or pulled pork sandwiches. If I make stir-fry I will definately make extra rice and have fried rice the next day or make a rice pudding for dessert or breakfast later in the week. Beef roast will be made into a soup or beef stroganoff or beef tips over noodles. Endless possiblities.
KnoxMom 12:52 PM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by LaLa1923:
I think it may depend on where you live. You can't do that here
I would double check that.I think it may depend on where you live. You can't do that here
http://www.cacfp.org/sponsor_details.asp?state=Maryland
For Maryland you must be licensed or registered.
Usually if you are not licensed, "registered, certified or approved" just means they will send out a representative to evaluate your program and decide whether or not they want to sponsor you. I was discouraged when the website for my sponsor said you must be licensed or an alternately approved. All it meant is that you have to sign a contract to adhere to the policies of the program and report honestly. They check for cleanliness, enrollment, etc. My parents love the fact that although I'm not licensed I have some sort of regulation/accountability and they can trust it will always be clean and meals will always be healthy because I can be checked in on at any time.
It is worth looking into..
KnoxMom 12:53 PM 05-02-2013
Originally Posted by LK5kids:
Oh, rats.....I just looked up the WI site and it said in WI you have to be licensed or certified. Well, it won't be long. Thanks, and I will check out your link! I appreciate it. Oh, I did shoot them an e-mail.
Find out what it means to get "certified" since you do not have a license yet. The Sponsor may be able to get you certified until the licensing process is complete. HTH!!Oh, rats.....I just looked up the WI site and it said in WI you have to be licensed or certified. Well, it won't be long. Thanks, and I will check out your link! I appreciate it. Oh, I did shoot them an e-mail.
mema 01:04 PM 05-02-2013
I usually don't. If I have left overs from our supper, I will use it for lunch. Or lunch will be our supper, but I usually don't give them the same main meal more than once a week. If I made too much lunch and know we won't be eating it for supper or dh's lunch, then I throw it in the freezer for later. Fruits and veggies I do tho because I don't want them spoiling.